Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Sunset Cabana

I went to the Sunset Cabana tonight to wish Gavin and Justin goodbye. I hope my blogs make Grand Turk seem like a paradise of fun, which certainly is my intention. But I also have tried to share how hard it is to live here.

This afternoon I received a text message from Gavin. He and Louise have split up, and he is leaving on a plane tomorrow to go back to London. Thats how it happens. Just like that. Everything is great. Then you are gone.

You probably don't know Gavin, but he has been behind organizing the free Flowrider events. He has been around. But this is a quick life change.

Grand Turk is a microcosm of life. It is also an incubator of reality. The presure of the small island strips the release valve of abundance that keeps things on an even keel in the US. This pressure brings the reality of relationships, selfishness, trust, and value to the surface.

It is an incubator of truth. Within that incubator, some rise to find themselves. Some find love. Some find happiness. Others do not. But if it is unhappiness that you find, don't blame Grand Turk. It is not Grand Turk that makes you unhappy. You were already unhappy. It is just that all the stuff that abundance brings you masks the reality of who you are and what you feel.

Here, your path crosses with a cross section of those who are in between life or looking for adventure. Some have found this life suits them and have stayed for years and years. Justin has been here since August 15. He has done his year and is moving on. Of all the people I have seen come and go, I will miss Justin. What do you do with people who come and go through your life. Do you drink with them? Do you pray with them? In one way it is he right of passage to be here and be gone. But in another way you are spending the last night with someone whose world is crashing around them and who you will never see again.



On Thursday I leave to go back to the states and get my family. By the next time I write a blog I will have been here for a year. We will see what time will tell.

I finished the kitchen this week. It is the nicest kitchen money could bye in 1974.


I have one more day to get the house cleaned. I don't know if it will happen.

5 comments:

bryanhitch said...

1974 was a very good year?

bryanhitch said...

It has been interesting to have people come and go in the eight years we've lived in Fresno. I'm sure not at all in the same ways that you've experienced but it's always difficult to say goodbye in any context. I enjoy reading your blogs very much. I also love the pictures.

Molly McKee said...

Dr. Hitch,

I do not know if you remember me, but I am a student at Capital University and I was in a couple of your classes. I had heard of your new position and Ian told me you had a blog so I thought I would check it out. Congratulations on your position! Know that your classes are definatly missed! You were one of my favorite teachers! Good luck with everything down there and I hope you and your family are happy!

Molly McKee

Unknown said...

Wow, Neal - your comments about our consumption coving who we really are is a very deep thought- I will ponder it for some time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Holly

Unknown said...

Wow, Neal - your comments about our consumption coving who we really are is a very deep thought- I will ponder it for some time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Holly